My Sweet Orange Tree

Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the harsh realities of an unfair world, experiencing the deep loneliness of being misunderstood, or mourning a significant loss. It is a profound choice for a child who feels like an outsider within their own family or who uses imagination as a primary coping mechanism. The story follows five-year-old Zezé, a precocious and sensitive boy living in Brazilian poverty, who navigates physical hardship and neglect by befriending a talking orange tree and an unlikely father figure. While the protagonist is young, the emotional weight and themes of grief, poverty, and resilience make it most appropriate for middle schoolers. It offers a safe space to discuss how kindness can be found in unexpected places and how we survive the loss of those who truly see us.